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A whole home wifi system on one 2.4ghz channel???
I've just set-up my Orbi RBK23 system. Having done an RF survey of the house and garden I determined the best 2.4Ghz channels for each device. Based on the survey I went to assign cetrain devices to channel 1, 6 and 11 and discover Orbi wants all the devices on the same channel?!
Where can I find the option to manually set the channel number for each device? I guess I'm more likely to get a 5Ghz connection around my property with the Orbi system but it's disappoint that 2.4Ghz settings aren't easily changed.
- For anyone finding this thread with the same issue I think I've resolved it for the 2.4Ghz band. I haven't yet tried for 5Ghz.
Most of the replies have been less than helpful so I hope this will work for people finding this thread.
Note: I'm using the system in access point mode so can't confirm this works when using the Orbi as a router.
1) Setup Orbi system. All devices will be on the same WiFi channel, in my case ch1.
2) Change the router 2.4Ghz channel to ch6. The satellites will remain on the original channel.
3) Hard reset one of the satellites and set it up as if it were a new addition to the network. It should connect and use ch6, which the router is using.
4) Change the wifi channel number of the router to ch11. You will then have each device on a separate channel.
It's unbelievably weird that Netgear doesn't provide settings to make this process simple but I guess Orbi is targeted at people with limited radio frequency and WiFi knowledge.
Next will come experiments with the 5Ghz settings.
24 Replies
Also, using a wifi analyser it looks like my 2.4Ghz signals are covering 6 channels. Is this something to do with the MIMO settings? I feel like I'm missing something and not understanding this Orbi system! :)
Welcome to the world of wireless channels!
The router can only use 1 channel at a time. not multiple. And they overlap. Which is why 1-6-11 is recommended. to prevent the overlap.
https://www.metageek.com/training/resources/why-channels-1-6-11.html
Nice thing about orbi is it does band steering. So if a device is needing more bandwidth, the orbi can switch them to 5ghz if they support it. 5ghz is significantly faster than 2.4ghz.
CanyonMonkey wrote:Also, using a wifi analyser it looks like my 2.4Ghz signals are covering 6 channels. Is this something to do with the MIMO settings? I feel like I'm missing something and not understanding this Orbi system! :)
Could you take a screen shot of this information? The Orbi router and satellite should be broadcasting both the primary and guest SSID's on exactly one 2.4G channel. They are all on the same channel, and there is no method to have them use more than one channel at the same time.
I turned off the guest Wifi. this channel graph I'm sharing is pretty much 'car crash' stuff for 2.4Ghz wifi. I can't do that to my neighbours.... Interestingly, it seems that one of my devices has moved to ch11, with the other two on ch8.
You'll be fine using manual channels 1, 6 or 11. It's recommended if you have many close nighborss.
You can also turn down the power output of the wifi radios as well. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
CanyonMonkey wrote:I've just set-up my Orbi RBK23 system. Having done an RF survey of the house and garden I determined the best 2.4Ghz channels for each device. Based on the survey I went to assign cetrain devices to channel 1, 6 and 11 and discover Orbi wants all the devices on the same channel?!
Where can I find the option to manually set the channel number for each device? I guess I'm more likely to get a 5Ghz connection around my property with the Orbi system but it's disappoint that 2.4Ghz settings aren't easily changed.
It's why the features are included. And valid steps to try. No trying the features would be waste of time. Like your doing. Please stop. Your not helpful what so ever.
Retired_Member wrote:Chasing channels and reducing power at the WiFi source is another waste of time and money you spent on your orbi.
I can't find an option to change the 2.4Ghz channel number of the Satellittes, unless I've missed it somewhere? (Using the RBK23)
The 5Ghz channels also appear to be set to the same value. I guess this is less of a problem as 5Ghz signals won't penetrate through the building as far, but it doesn't seem ideal.
If I could manually set channel numbers I could improve my own and my neighbours wifi. Seems like a basic functional requirement of a home wifi system.
I still don't understand why I'm seeing my SSID spreading across 6 channels in the band, isn't 4 channels the norm?
Channels are only set on the RBR using a web browser. The RBS follow and will use the same channel as what is set on the RBR. This is how they work. You cant' change any channels on the RBS. Basic function of changing channels has been around since wifi routers first came out. Still present.
CanyonMonkey wrote:I can't find an option to change the 2.4Ghz channel number of the Satellittes, unless I've missed it somewhere? (Using the RBK23)
The 5Ghz channels also appear to be set to the same value. I guess this is less of a problem as 5Ghz signals won't penetrate through the building as far, but it doesn't seem ideal.
If I could manually set channel numbers I could improve my own and my neighbours wifi. Seems like a basic functional requirement of a home wifi system.
I still don't understand why I'm seeing my SSID spreading across 6 channels in the band, isn't 4 channels the norm?
- For anyone finding this thread with the same issue I think I've resolved it for the 2.4Ghz band. I haven't yet tried for 5Ghz.
Most of the replies have been less than helpful so I hope this will work for people finding this thread.
Note: I'm using the system in access point mode so can't confirm this works when using the Orbi as a router.
1) Setup Orbi system. All devices will be on the same WiFi channel, in my case ch1.
2) Change the router 2.4Ghz channel to ch6. The satellites will remain on the original channel.
3) Hard reset one of the satellites and set it up as if it were a new addition to the network. It should connect and use ch6, which the router is using.
4) Change the wifi channel number of the router to ch11. You will then have each device on a separate channel.
It's unbelievably weird that Netgear doesn't provide settings to make this process simple but I guess Orbi is targeted at people with limited radio frequency and WiFi knowledge.
Next will come experiments with the 5Ghz settings.I have serious doubts that this actually "works". Do you have access to a WiFi channel analyzer, perhaps on a laptop or Android device (phone, tablet)?
When I open WiFi Analyzer by Kevin Yuan on my Android devices, it clearly shows the access point MAC addresses for my router and satellite, both on the same channel. When I change the channel on the router, the satellite changes along with it.
- Despite your "doubts" I can confirm it "works".
Screenshot attached of each device running a different 2.4Ghz channel. I've also logged in and confirmed via the interfaces that each is running on those channels.
I'm very disappointed with the knowledge and help from this "community.
